DUBAI (Reuters) - Saudi Arabian retailer Fawaz Abdulaziz Alhokair Co. <4240.SE> has pulled out of its franchise partnership with British store group Marks & Spencer <MKS.L> and has ended similar agreements with a number of "non-performing" brands, it said on Wednesday.
Alhokair posted first-quarter net profit of 224 million riyals (49.21 million pounds) down 10.1% from 249.2 million riyals a year earlier.
The firm, which owns franchise rights for brands including Mango, Zara and Banana Republic in the Middle East, said a decline in sales during the quarter was driven by the closure of non-performing stores and the disposal of weak brands as the group press ahead with a "portfolio optimisation strategy."
Marks & Spencer (M&S) was not immediately available to comment outside of its business hours.
(Reporting by Tuqa Khalid; Editing by Mark Potter)
